Arkansas Tech University student Leah Newton is paying her way through college one loaf of bread at a time.

One Nerd Bakery is a business that Newton, 17, has built over the past year by selling her baked goods at farmer’s markets and other events in downtown Russellville.

“I use local products when I can,” said Newton, who grows many of her ingredients in her own garden. “Many of them are gluten free and vegan. Downtown is so important to me. It would be great to own a bakery down here one day.”

Newton says that she grew up in the kitchen. Her specialty is Mediterranean bread, which has sun-dried tomato and pesto in it along with other basic ingredients. She also enjoys making cakes, which are available by special order.

“She is such a great kid,” said Leah’s mother, Kathy Newton. “She has a natural talent for baking. We never knew the bread would take off like it has, but I am so proud of her. Her customers’ money isn’t wasted either because she made all A’s last semester.”

After she earns her degree from Arkansas Tech, Leah hopes to attend pastry school in Chicago.

“It gives me a huge sense of pride knowing that I am paying my way through college with my business,” said Newton. “I grew up home-schooled so I haven’t been in a classroom in years. It was weird at first because I wasn’t used to it, but I like it better now.”

Newton continues to learn and develop new products as she gains experience. She debuted one of her most recent creations, a strawberry yogurt cake muffin, during a recent event in downtown Russellville.

“This is amazing,” said One Nerd Bakery customer Jaime Valdez. “I want to go back and buy the rest of them.”